NUTCRACKERS (DISNEY+) (2024)

SYNOPSIS: In the most unlikely of places, four siblings find a loving shelter in an unexpected turn of circumstances. This endearing comedy-drama draws inspiration from actual events and deftly crafts a gripping story that unites everyone.

MOVIE REVIEW:

With the release of Nutcrackers, Ben Stiller finally returns to the screen as a leading man after an absence of seven years while director David Gordon Green also makes a comeback to helming an indie drama after doing a series of studio horror movies.

Stiller plays Michael, a single hot-shot real estate manager based in Chicago has to head down to rural Ohio over the weekend in his flashy Porsche to settle some paperwork regarding her late sister Janet’s farmhouse.

But there’s more to settle besides signing a couple of papers, Janet’s kids or Michael’s nephews— Justice (Homer Janson), Junior (Ulysses Janson), Samuel (Atlas Janson) and Simon (Arlo Janson) are currently without a guardian and Gretchen (Linda Cardellini), the social worker in charge of handling the case has to entrust Michael to take care of the kids for the time being until a foster home is found.

Nutcrackers is oddly marketed as a Christmasy movie consider there’s isn’t much of anything to connect it with the holiday. In fact, there isn’t much of a plot to begin with. Leland Douglas’ screenplay lacks much creativity and laughs to sustain the entire 104 minutes. Not an excessively long runtime to begin with anyway.

Much of the comedy arises from the brothers mischievous acts which probably arises from the fact they don’t respond well to strangers than a severe case of ADHD. The long-haired Janson brothers while being newcomers to the Hollywood scene are largely charming reminding us of the nineties pop band, Hanson.

Stiller’s acting has matured over the years since playing Gaylord "Greg" Focker in the Meet the Parents franchise. He maintains a well-liked presence here playing the absence uncle who tries hard to make up for lost time. There’s two amusing moments which has Michael trying his best to impart some sex education to the boys and telling a badass action violent bedtime story. These clever moments are little compared to the out of control fart gags.

Together with Douglas’ lacklustre screenplay, Green’s muddled direction fails to deliver the laughs and heart in this supposedly heartwarming drama. The nutcrackers part arrives in the finale though it does struggle to deliver the connection despite a decently choreographed ballet sequence. Overall, Nutcrackers is so indie, so forgettable, so bland that we hope it’s just Stiller and Green stretching their arms and legs to better things to come.

MOVIE RATING:

Review by Linus Tee